Combination lamp and bell



Aug. 25, 1942.

' J. B. RENSHAW COMBINATION LAMP AND BELL Filed Dec. 12, 1938 IN VENTOR,5. A TIORNE Y-S.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII -"IIIIIIIIIII Patented Aug. 25, 1942 UN RTE-D" ST 5 Part orrrcs 3 Claiins.

This invention relates to Warning devices-and particularly to warningdevicesinthe form' of a-combination visual and audible. signal to beemployed on the rear of motor vehicle'sto serve as a warning duringbackingof i such vehicles, the principal object being the provision of adevice of the type described thatis simplein construction, efficient inoperation and economical to manufacture.

Objects of'the inventionin'clude the provision of a combination lamp andaudible signal particularly adaptable as a back-up warning signal formotor vehicles and-including a casing provided with a lens andenclosinga unitary assemblage including a-lamp' and an audible signal,insertable into and removable from the casing as such; the-provision ofa device of the type described including a casing having a wall thereindisposed transversely thereof, the wall serving to support a bell ononeside thereof and a lamp on the other side thereof, and a suitablelens closing the open face-of the casing; the provision of a device ofthe type described including a casing having atransverse wall removablysecured therein, anelectric warning signal being supported by-the wallon one side thereof and an electric'lamp being supported by the wall onthe opposite side thereof, the casing having apertures in that portionthereof within which the signal is contained whereby to more readilyemit the sound thereof, and that" endof 'the'casing in which-saidlampbulb is exposed being closed by a'suitable lens; the provision of adevice of the type'describedincluding a casing having an open end, aclosed end and a transverse wall' removably secured in the casingbetween the open and closed end thereof, the wall carrying an electricalcontact member, an electric signaling device beingsecured to one side;of the casing and thereby making contact with said contact member tovpermit energizationthereof; a lamp socket" carriedby the opposite; sideof said wall, and an electric lampcarried by saidcontactv and makingcontact, with said contactmember whereby to receive its; source ofenergy therethrough; and the provision of. a. construction as abovedescribed including a casing, having atransverse wall and an electricsignaling; element carried therebyincluding a Supporting bracketcarrying a magnet, an armature support and a bell in operative relationwith respect toeach other, and lugs carried; by:- the bracket;projecting through and; beingv fixed with respect to said wall wherebyto fix' and support: the electrical signaling element with respect tothe wall.

The above being among the objects of the;

present invention the same consists in certain novel features ofconstruction" and combinationsof parts hereinafter described withreference to the accompanying drawing; and then? claimed; having theabove and otherob'jectsiintview;

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a suitable embodiment" ofthe presentinvention and in which like numerals referto'lik'e' partsthroughout the several different views,

Fig. 1 is apartiallybroken, partially sectioned side elevational view ofa motor vehicle of the pleasure type having suitably secured to therear' ing capable of operation from a suitableswitch I supported by theinstrument panel of the vehicle;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged faceview' of thew-aming signal constituting thepresent invention, taken on the line 2-2' of. Fig; 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional'view taken axially through the warningdevice on the line 3'3' of" Fig. 2;

Fig. 4' is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4of- Fig. 3"; and;

Fig; 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line-5+5" ofFig. 3;

A common form of motorvehicle accident is that occurring during backingup of the Vehicle. Under such circumstances the vehicle is usuallytravelling at a slow rate of speed and, accordingly, moving relativelynoiselessly, and the driver is watching his backward movement eitherthrough the conventional rear view mirror which affords him a relativelylimited extent of observation, or through the window or door at his nearside which restricts his range of- View to substantially only that sideof the vehicle. In such cases there is usually neither warning given tothe driver or to the person struck by the vehicle, with the resultthat ahigh percentage of such accidents are fatal'to'theperson' struck. One ofthe most common cases of accidents of this sort is inconnection-withvehicles backing out of a driveway and striking childrenplaying on the driveway or persons passing the driveway on a walkcrossing the same.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide a warning signal at the rearend of a motor vehicle that is operated either manually, or operatedautomatically by the act of shifting the motor vehicletransmissionintoreverse gear, in

an efiort to minimize if not entirely eliminate this type of accident.Some of these prior suggestions have taken a form of a light, some havetaken the form of an audible signal, and some have taken the form ofboth a light and signal combined. As far as can be determined, however,none of these devices have been accepted by the public and none of themhave been marketed in any substantial quantities. In view of the obviousdesirability of such device the apparent reasons for their lack ofcommercialization is that the design has been too expensive to permitits being sold to the motoring public at a price sufficiently low to bereadily adopted. One of the main objects of the present invention is toprovide such device of such simplicity of construction as to make itpossible to sell it at a price well within the range of the ordinaryautomobile owner, and with this in mind the device provided inaccordance with the present invention is extremely simple inconstruction and, therefore, economical to manufacture and sell.

The present invention takes the form of a combined audible and visualsignal formed as a unitary device attachable to and removable from amotor vehicle as such. The audible portion of the signal is preferably abell, this for the reason that a bell arouses more curiosity andcommands more attention than any other form of warning. Furthermore, ahorn is so commonly used by all motor vehicles, that when it is heard asa warning, it is instinctively associated with a car coming head on, andnot backing The light which is combined in the device with the horn ispreferably of a type which will throw a relatively bright and whitelight, thus to differentiate it from the usual red tail lightconventionally employed and to provide a light which will be projectedto much greater distance and to a greater intensity than the usual taillight so as to serve as an effective visual warning device at night, aswell as to serve the additional purpose of lighting up the roadway backof the vehicle to better enable the driver to observe the roadway andpersons or obstruction thereon during a backing up movement.

As in previously suggested constructions, the combined lamp and bellconstructed in accordance with the present invention may be selectivelyoperated manually by the driver of the motor vehicle from a convenientlylocated switch, as for instance mounted on the instrument panel in easyreach of the driver when the transmission is shifted into reverse, or itmay be rendered entirely automatic by associating the switch with thetransmission so that whenever the transmission is shifted into reversegear the combined lamp and bell will be automatically energized as aresult thereof. For the purpose of simplicity in description, however,in the drawing the first arrangement only is illustrated.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to Fig. 1, a motor vehicleof the pleasure type is illustrated generally at I and as having theusual or conventional tail lamp l2 at the rear thereof and the usual orconventional instrument panel I4 extending transversely across theinterior of the vehicle immediately in advance of the driver and belowthe cowl. In accordance with the present invention a combined visual andaudible warning device indicated generally at I6 is shown mounted at therear of the vehicle It] and for the purpose of illustration only, a ovethe tail lamp I2, by means of suitable brackets indicated generally at18 and which may be secured, as a matter of illustration, to thebrackets which support the usual rear bumper (not shown). A suitableswitch 20 is shown mounted upon the lower edge of the instrument panell4 conveniently located in the width thereof for operation by the driverof the vehicle. One side of switch 20 is connected to a suitable sourceof electrical energy, such as the usual storage battery, the other sideof which is grounded. The other side of switch 20 is connected to oneside of signal It through lead 22, the other side of signal I6 beinggrounded.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, it will be noted that thewarning device I6 includes a generally cylindrical casing 30 the rearend of which is closed except as hereinafter specifically pointed outand its rear edge preferably rounded so as to impart a more pleasingappearance to the same. The opposite end of the casing 30 is open andthe metal at the margin thereof is outwardly turned and beaded at 32 toprovide an axially facing shoulder 34 and an inwardly presented channel.A lens 36, preferably of a substantially hemi-spherical configuration asshown in order to aid in the lateral diffusion of light therethrough,and formed from translucent or preferably transparent material such asglass, Celluloid, plastic or the like, marginally seats against theshoulder 34 and is retained thereagainst by means of a split spring ring38 removably received within the channel of the edge 32. As previouslystated the lens 36 is preferably, although not necessarily, of a clearmaterial so as to transmit a white or substantially white lighttherethrough in order to render its warning characteristics of greatervalue by differentiating it from the usual tail light.

Housed within the casing 30 and lens 36 is a light unit indicatedgenerally at 49, an audible signal unit, shown in the form of anelectric bell and indicated generally at 42, and a transverse wall orpartition 44 located intermediate the ends of the casing 30 which servesas a means for mounting both the light unit 40 and audible signal unit42. For the purpose of enhancing the transmission of sound from theaudible signal unit 42 to the outside atmosphere, the casing 30 ispreferably provided with a plurality of openings 46 therein. Theopenings 46 are preferably positioned in the lower portion of the casing30 so as to facilitate the drainage of any water which might possiblyfind its way into the casing therethrough, although it will beunderstood that the casing is otherwise weatherproof and waterproof.Preferably such openings are in the form of elongated slots as shown. Itis desirable, of course, that the bell does not ring so loudly as toannoy the driver of the vehicle upon which it is mounted, and at thesame time it is desirable that the warning signal given by the bell beeffective for a distance of at least fifty feet back of the motorvehicle. The casing 30, of course, tends to muflle the sound of the belland, accordingly, by properly proportioning the size and number of theslots 46, the desired result can be achieved. It has been found thatfour such slots, each of approximately one-eighth of an inch in widthand three-quarters of an long, are sufficient to effect the desired re-The transverse wall 44 is in the form of a disc and is preferablyprovided around its margin with a preferably continuous axially turnedflange 48 effecting a cylindrical bearing between it and the inner wallsof the casing 38'. Although the wall 44 may pe secured in the casing inany suitable manner it is preferably removably mounted therein and forthe purpose of economy it is preferably of such size as to effect alight press fit between it and the inner walls of the shell 30, thuseliminating the necessity of employing any separate securing means forlocating it within the casing 38 and at the same time permitting itsremoval and insertion without undue difiiculty.

The transverse wall 44 is centrally provided with a circular aperture 54therein, the margins of which are axially and forwardly turned at 52 toprovide a short sleeve in which the cylindrical lamp socket 54 issuitably received and secured. The lamp socket 54 is provided atdiametrically opp'ositie sides thereof with bayonet slots 55 leading tothe forward face of the socket 54 and adapted to cooperate with thediametrically opposed outwardly projecting pins 58 on the shank 68 of alamp bulb 68 which is received in the socket 54 in a conventionalmanner.

As best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 the bell unit 42 is built up on abracket indicated generally at Ill and including a flat central portionI2 extending in a generally diametrical direction with respect to theaxis of the casing 38 and provided with perpendicularly extending endportions I4 and I6, respectively, the planes of which are parallel toeach other but arranged at an angle to the longitudinal center line ofthe portion I2. The portions I4 and I6 and opposite marginal edgesthereof are each provided with a perpendicularly extending flange I8each of which terminates at that end thereof adjacent the transversewall 44 in a lug 8b, of less width than the corresponding flange l8, andwhich lugs project through correspondingly shaped openings in the wall44and are bent over on the opposite side thereof at 82 to secure thebracket It in fixed relation with respect to and supported by the wall44.

A magnet 84 is rigidly fixed at one end to the end portion '45 of thebracket 1!! and an armature 85 is mounted by means of a spring member 88upon the flange I8 of the opposite end member I4, the armature 88extending over the operative end of the magnet 84 in a conventionalmanner. A spring arm 88 which serves as a hinged support for thearmature 86 is fixed to the flange I8 of the end portion I4 and at 98 toone end of the armature 86 and then extends in the same generaldirection but at an angle thereto to form a supporting arm 92 for acontact element 94. A strap 95 carried by a ring member 98 on the end ofthe magnet 84 is bent, as best illustrated in Fig. 3, to outwardlyembrace the outer end of the arm portion 92 and in turn carries acontact element 508 in opposed relation with respect to the contactelement 94, and adapted to cooperate therewith and control theenergization of the magnet 84.

The opposite sides of the central portion I2 of the bracket 14 areprovided with short marginal flanges I 02 turned in a direction oppositeto the end members I4 and I6, and the flanges I82 receive thereon a bellI I14 which is secured to the central portion I2 of the bracket by meansof a screw I66 or other suitable fastening means. The armature 86 isextended as a curved end member I 98 to a point adjacent the anchoredend of the magnet 84 and the marginal edge of the bell I 04 is providedwith an inwardly struck lug H8 in cooperative relation with respectthereto.

As best illustrated in Fig. 4, on the backside of the wall 44 a contactelement indicated generally at US is secured by means of a hollow rivetI18, suitable insulation I20 being provided to' insulate the contactelement H6 and rivet I I8 from the wall 44. The contact element I I5 isprovided with one finger portion I22 providing a center contact whichextends to and terminates at a point centrally in back of the opening 58in the transverse Wall 44 and in a position to engage the terminal I24for the lamp bulb E8. The contact element H6 is provided with a secondfinger I 25 which extends at an angle with respect to the finger portionI22 and into a position to contact the metallic ring I28 carried by theanchored end of the magnet 84 and suitably insulated from the bracket76. A strip I34 of suitable insulating material is positioned againstthe back face of the wall 44 between the contact H6 and particularly thefinger I26 thereof and the Wall 44 so as to prevent inadvertent shortingof the contact element II 6 with the wall 44. The strip I38 may benotched at both ends and arranged to be located by the notches engagingthe exterior walls of a small depression formed in the wall 44 forreceiving and locating the insulation I24, and a screw I3I threadedthrough the wall 44 and serving as a means for connecting a ground wirethereto when the casing 34 is not directly grounded.

A wire I32, as best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, projects through anopening I34 in the bottom of the casing 35 between the wall 44 and theflange 34 and is connected to a screw I86 which threads into the hollowrivet I I8 on the wall 44 and which is suitably insulated from the wall44 as previously mentioned. Electrical current for the electric lamp 633is conducted from the wire I32 through the rivet II8 to the conductor H8and through the finger I22 thereof to the terminal I24 of the lamp 68,through the lamp 68 and then through the shell of the shank 69 thereofto the socket 54, wall 44, casing 30 and bracket I8 to the grounded sideof the vehicle It. In cases where the bracket I8 is not grounded asecond Wire (not shown) may be directly connected to the casing 38 orwall 44 to effect the same purpose.

The winding for the magnet 84 is connected at one end to the ring I28and to the ring 98 at the opposite end. Accordingly, in energizing thebell portion of the device, the current is fed through the wire 532 tothe contact element I I6 and through the finger I26 thereof to the ringI28, thence through the winding for the magnet to the ring 93, throughthe arm 96 thereof to the contact element I48, through the contactelement 94, through the spring arm 92 and bracket IE! to the transversewall 44 and casing 39 to the ground. The spring elernent 533 normallyacts to maintain the contacts 94 and I44 in contact and uponenergization of the magnet 84 the armature 86 is drawn toward themagnet, thus causing the contacts 84 and N38 to separate, breaking theflow of current and permitting the springed hinge 88 to return thearmature 86 towards its normal position. Each time the armature 86 isattracted towards the magnet 34 the terminal end of the end portion I538of the armature is caused to strike against lug IIil on the bell I04 andcause the bell to sound. Thus by closing the switch 28 on the instrumentpanel I4 the light K58 is caused to be energized and renderedluminescent and the bell I04 is caused to ring.

The entire device thus described may be secured to the bracket l8 byrivets I40 or other suitable means. The bracket I8 itself forms no partof the present invention and may be of any suitable constructionpermitting ready mounting of the device l6 upon a suitable part of themotor vehicle.

From the foregoing it will be understood that both the visual signal 40and the audible sign-a1 42 are secured to and carried solely by thetransverse wall 44, and the transverse wall 44 being removable from thecasing 30, these two signals with the wall 44 provide a unitaryassemblage which is applicable to and removable from the casing 39 assuch. In practice both the visual signal 48 and audible signal 42 arefirst assembled upon the wall 44 to provide a complete operative andunitary structure and this structure is then inserted in its desiredposition within the shell 30. This provides a means whereby a small andreadily accessible unit is provided for assembly purposes which whencompleted and tested out for operativeness may be readily inserted toits desired location in the shell 30, and then the lens 36 applied andsecured in place by the split ring 38 to complete the entire assembly.This feature, together with the fact that the construction is such as toenable all of the metallic parts to be formed as stampings, results in aconstruction that is extremely simple in construction and, therefore,economical to manufacture, and yet provides a construction that isreadily accessible for service if required and may be repaired with aminimum amount of trouble and expense.

It will also be appreciated that when the sigrral device described isactuated during backing up movement of the vehicle the warning thusgiven by the device to any one in back of the vehicle or about to passit back of the vehicle will be amply sufficient to attract theirattention to the possible danger in ample time to avoid the same.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the inventiondisclosed without departing from the spirit or substance of the broadinvention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A warning signal for vehicles including two portions, means forsecuring said portions together, one portion including anelectromagnetic audible signal having a contact on one end of themagnet, the other portion including an elec tric signal lamp supporthaving a shell contact facing in one direction adapted to hold a lampwith its center contact facing in the other direction, said otherportion also including an insulated resilient electrical contact memberhaving two portions, said contact portions engaging the magnet contactand the center contact of the lamp respectively when the signal portionsare secured together.

2. A warning signal for vehicles including two portions, means fordetachably securing said portions together, one portion including anelectromagnetic audible signal having a contact on one end of themagnet, the other portion including 'an electric signal lamp supporthaving a shell contact facing in one direction adapted to hold a lampwith its center contact facing in the other direction, said otherportion also including an insulated resilient electrical contact memberhaving two portions, said contact portions engaging the magnet contactand the center contact of the lamp respectively when the signal portionsare secured together.

3. In a back-up warning device for vehicles, in combination, a cup-likehousing, a light transmitting cover closing the open end of saidhousing, a marginally flanged sheet metal transverse wall member havinga lamp contact member mounted thereon and disposed on one side thereof,an audible electric signal mounted upon said wall member and groundedthereon and having an insulated contact, said audible signal beingwholly disposed on the side of said wall member opposite said firsticontact member, said wall contact member and audible signal forming aunit applicable to said housing as such and secured in said housing withsaid flanged margin of said wall in contact with the inner walls of saidhousing, said wall separating the interiors of said housing and coverinto two chambers in one of which said audible signal is located and inthe other of which, toward the open end of said housing, said contactmember is located, means providing an insulated center contact, andmeans providing a connection with the insulated contact for the audiblesignal.

JOSEPH B. RENSHAW.

